Zen Meditation and Buddhism Course at Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale

Everyone is invited to the Chan Meditation and Fundamentals of Buddhism class at Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale!
This 20-week long sequential course includes guided meditation sessions as well as a lecture and Q&A from fully ordained Buddhist nuns.

- In English is Wednesdays at 7:30pm starting July 9, 2025
Please register directly with the Zen Center here

More info on the website:
https://sunnyvale.ctzen.org/wiki/classes/class-schedule/

Entrance is on Arques Ave, facing the fire station.
- In Chinese separately【太谷精舍】 2025年 新學期禪修班 準備開課囉
- For Children on Saturday evenings at 7pm

The same courses are also offered at the sister center, Buddha Gate Monastery in East Bay - Lafayette. (https://buddhagate.org/)

All events are offered at no charge.

More detailed course information:

### Meditation & Zen Buddhism Classes

Each class meets for two hours and consists of meditation practice (guided with instruction and quiet sitting time) in the first hour, and a lecture on Buddhist principles in the second hour.

### Level I: Beginning Chan Meditation and Fundamental Concepts of Buddhism

The meditation portion of the class teaches breath-counting, mindfulness of the breath, and middle way reality. The lecture topics include the introduction to Buddhism and Chan(Zen), Karma and causality, the Four Noble Truths, Three Refuges and Five Precepts.
Prerequisite: One Stick of Incense experience is recommended.

### Level II：Chan Meditation & Intermediate Buddhist Contemplation and Practices

The meditation portion builds on the previous methods and includes compassion contemplation. The lecture topics include the Ten Dharma Realms, Bodhisattva ideal, the six paramitas; the perfection of charity, morality, tolerance, diligence, meditation, and prajna wisdom.
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 1 Beginning Chan Meditation Class required.

### Level III：Chan Meditation & Advanced Buddhist Contemplation and Practices

The meditation portion builds on the Level 1 & 2 methods and includes the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. The lecture topics include the Ten Dharma Realms, Twelve Links of Interdependence, Four Foundations of Mindfulness, The Four Great Vows, and Four Ways of Bodhisattva Fellowship.
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 1 & Level 2 Classes required.

### Chan Meditation & Sutra Study

The meditation portion includes previous and additional meditation methods. The topics are from selected Buddhist scriptures such as The Sutra of Forty-Two Chapters, The Eight Realization of Great Beings, The Sutra of Impermanence, and The Essence of Mahayana Practice, etc.
Prerequisites: Completion of Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Classes required

### Bodhi Garden Meditation Class

Class designed for Parents with children/youth ages 4-14 to discover their inner wisdom and develop a positive outlook on life. The creatively designed curriculum includes meditation instructions, Dharma talks, Zen stories, character-building activities, and more. Students learn to sharpen their awareness and concentration and to appreciate the gifts of this world.

About Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale:
This tranquil meditation center in the heart of Silicon Valley is part of Chung Tai Chan Monastery, one of the largest Zen organizations in the world with the parent temple in Taiwan. Led by highly trained monastics who dedicate their life to Buddhist practice, classes at the Zen Center offer a unique opportunity to learn from qualified monks and nuns and for people to experience the refreshing viewpoint of Zen.

Chung Tai Zen Center of Sunnyvale
https://sunnyvale.ctzen.org/
750 East Arques Ave, Sunnyvale CA 94085